Questions about the IBE program

To current or past students in the IBE program (or people who know about the program), I was hoping that some of these questions can be answered:

  1. What is the difference between the IBE program and the CSB program (http://www.lehigh.edu/engineering/academics/undergraduate/majors/compscibus.html)?

  2. In the end, do you have one degree in a business or engineering field or do you get 2 degrees (one in a business and the other in an engineering field?) How many years will the program take?

  3. Are there a lot of events for just IBE students (job fairs, socials)?

  4. Is there an opportunity to study abroad? Does Lehigh set students up with internships?

Thanks so much!

I know more about the CSB program, but I can answer some of your questions about IBE.

(1) IBE is a joint business/engineering program. CSB is a joint business/computer science program. Both are jointly offered through the Lehigh Business and Engineering Schools.

(2) IBE typically takes either 4 or 5 years. After 4 years, you can graduate with a BS in Integrated Business and Engineering. This qualifies as a full (AACSB-accredited) business degree; however, it does not qualify as a full engineering degree (although it includes most of an engineering degree). If you stay for a 5th year, you can add a full (ABET-accredited) engineering degree, as a second degree.

CSB takes 4 years, and yields a BS in Computer Science and Business. This is only one degree, but it qualifies as both a full (AACSB-accredited) business degree and as a full (ABET-accedited) CS degree.

Don’t know about (3) and (4). IBE and CSB are really intense programs, and you should probably not expect to also squeeze in a traditional study abroad experience, unless you go in the summer. Lehigh has a summer program in Prague (the tech hub of eastern Europe) which is tailored for CSB students. Don’t know if there is something similar for the IBE students.

There are special events for IBE students, although sometimes they’re grouped with the CSB students. Recruiters often say they only want to meet with the IBE and CSB students. It gives you a good edge.